building stand - sourcing materials

[bored4long]

I'm in the very early stages of planning my stand and canopy for my 125 long.

Anyone know of a good source for trim and 4x8 sheets of veneer or plywood? A local cabinet maker would probably be the best source, but I don't know any.

I'm of the opinion that Lowes and HD have crap wood and would prefer to find a higher quality source for my veneers for the doors and skinning the frame. I'm still undecided on the type of wood, but will probably go with domestic for cost and enviro-friendly reasons.

Also looking to buy or borrow a used planer.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[P.Kelly]

Hughes hardwood is where I get my veneered plywood for cabinets. They are off of sunrise, south of highway 50. I built a kitchen using cherry plywood and cherry hardwood from them. Prices are very reasonable too. If you need cabinet doors, I buy mine from Decorative specialties. They only sell to builders but my family knows one of the owners, so if you're interested, shoot me a PM.

 

[Reefugee]

I'd second Hughes. Other places include Higgins and Aura Hardwood. In Davis - there's Hibbert Lumber (kinda expensive).

If you need the panel cut to exact dimention (1/32") - Hibbert has a door maker place called the "Door Stop." Call Hibbert and ask them to transfer you to Door Stop. These guys can make perfect cuts with extreme precision for very little amount of money. I think it cost me $20 for all the cuts when I was making my cabinet.

For cabinet doors, check out http://cabinetdoorsandhardware.com/ . Unfortunately, they don't make custom size cabinet doors, so you will have to build your stand around the cabinet doors dimensions. Also - they have the euro hinge drilled on both sides, so that the same door can be used as a left or right door. TO be honest - you really don't even notice it after a while. The pricing were the cheapest I could find.

Minh

For the frame, I would recommend kiln dried wood. And if you want to save A LOT of time, borrow a nail gun.

 

[bored4long]

Thanks for the quick replies! I'm getting excited about the build. I found cabinetdoorsandhardware.com in a stand build thread a while back, but lost it, so thanks for the link. Their prices on unfinished doors are awesome. Only problem is they only offer naked doors in oak and hickory. Still might use them.

Pete, I'll be sure to contact you prior to my door order.

I agree, Kiln dried is definitely a must for the frame. I think I have access to only a finish nailer, but that will atleast help with the skin.

 

[Jim_S]

I built a new stand for my tank last summer. Probably one of the best plans of attack for starting off a new system the right way.

I bought all my stuff at HD. I wish I would have known about Hughes....

Nail gus are key. I like using polyurethane on all everything too.

How tall is the stand going to be?

 

[Reefugee]

I got my panels from Home Depot. They were decent quality. I did have to dig through the pile to pick out two good sheets. Their oak strips were warped. I got the oak strip from Lowes. They were pretty good at Lowes. However, the last time I was there, their oak strips were warped as well.

Pete - what tools do you have? I am going to try to assemble a woodshop in the near future.

 

[bored4long]

Regarding the height of the stand I know its recommended to go as tall as possible, and I would like to do the same. I will probably never get to have a dedicated fish room nor will my wife allow external equipment, so the taller the better for accommodating a tall skimmer. Two problems with a tall stand: 1) I'm short (5'6"), 2) the tank will mainly be viewed from a couch.

Regardless, I'm currently thinking about going with a 36" tall stand. I've accepted I will just need easy access to a step stool when maintaining the tank. I'm also going to build it much deeper than my current tank (currently thinking maybe 28" deep, even though the tank is 18" deep). This will allow tons more room inside the stand for equipment and also allow me to upgrade to a 24" deep tank in the future, which I think will put my upgrade limit to 240 gallons if I want to use the same stand and canopy.

Thats my initial idea, but plans change. Once I get closer to building I will sketch it all out on paper and run the design by everyone.

 

[bored4long]

BTW, my dad has a ShopSmith (is that what it is called?). Its an 'all-in-one' sort of thing. Works as table saw, drill press, lathe, disc and belt sander and bandsaw. He also has a router and scroll saw. The router is an old, tired thing, but it and the rest work pretty well for the hobbyist like me.

I'd love to pick up a Dewalt 735 Planer for this project, but unless I find one for dirt cheap or one falls off a truck (just kidding) I'll just have to do without.

I'm also toying with the idea of picking up a dual action 'spinner-thinga-ma-jig' (buffer?). I primarily want this to polish out the scratches in my aquarium glass.

 

[Doahh]

Polishing out scratches is a PITB

 

[Jim_S]

Minh,

thats funny!! I did the exact same :lol: Got my plywood and birch at HD and my trim at Lowes.... I even had to search through the pile until I found what I wanted :lol:

b4l,

Yeah, I use a step ladder too for when I clean. I'm 5'10", but the ladder makes it so much easier

Jim

 

[bobbyblank]

Capitol Plywood sells nothing but high grade peices of laminate, plywood, and vinal. any style, color, grain or finish. I MEAN EVERYTHING! I used to deliver to them, and have gotten very good pieces of ply from them. They are a wholesale, but do sell to individuals. Very nice people, they are near cal expo off of leasure lane. hope this helps

 

[dots]

Though I don't think they are retail, we use Hafele at work when specifying hardware. They have some really cool things there......at the very least, you could look at the site for ideas.

http://www.hafele.com/us/

Here is a list from about.com listing North American Hardwoods if you wish to avoid non native species, specifically S. American.

If your not above rare, but "American" woods.....I might suggest Hawaiian Koa.....very beautiful......rare....but beautiful.

 

[Reefugee]

Anyone knows a good hinge that won't rust? That's my biggest problem with my stand.

Minh

 

[dots]

I think the biggest problem is finding a Stainless that is a high enough quality......which is hard I imagine.

I would buy a decent set and try to clear coat them, or keep wax on them.......I bet automotive carnuba wax would be a good preventative.

I think this is common problem with any hardware with our hobby.

 

[bored4long]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10435760#post10435760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dots
I bet automotive carnuba wax would be a good preventative.

I have read that cyclists wax their chains by melting wax in a pot and dipping the chain ( I think its an old skool method rather than using an oil lubricant ). I wonder if the same technique could be applied to hinges. Might be worth a shot.

Minh, for the low price the euro hinges are offered through that link you provided it is probably worth buying replacement sets. I'll let you know if I order doors through them in case you want some extras.

Bobby, thanks. I'll definitely check them out.

 

[dots]

I was thinking of the old trick of putting a little grease on your battery terminals to keep them from rusting and remembered that waxing the chrome on a car did the same thing.

 

[muttley101]

Meeks Lumber in Elk Grove?

 

[P.Kelly]

Meeks is good for lumber (although a bit overpriced).

 

[Larry Robison]

Woodline, or something like that, next to Cricket's rest. on Auburn, a little east of Pet Connection. THey have an extensive selection of trim.